Office of International Affairs, Asia University

Admission Application Regulations

 

Article 1     

These REGULATIONS are provided in accordance with the International Students Undertaking Studies in Taiwan stipulated by the Ministry of Education.

Article 2        

1. Individuals who hold foreign citizenship and have never held Republic of China (ROC) citizenship may apply for admission in accordance with the following regulations:
   1. They have not previously studied in Taiwan as overseas Chinese students.
   2. They have not been admitted in the current academic year of their application to Taiwan colleges and universities by the Overseas Joint Admissions Committee according to the Regulations for Overseas Chinese Students Returning to Their Home Country for Education and Counseling. 
2. Individuals who hold foreign citizenship and meet the following criteria, and who have continuously resided overseas for at least six years, may also apply for admissions in accordance with the following regulations. However, those who intend to study in medical, dental, or traditional Chinese medicine programs, must have continuously resided overseas for at least eight years:

1. At the time of application, they also hold Republic of China (ROC) citizenship and have never had household registration in Taiwan.
2. If they held ROC citizenship before applying and have lost ROC citizenship with the approval of the Ministry of the Interior, they must have continuously resided overseas for at least eight years from the date of losing ROC citizenship to the time of application.
3. In both cases mentioned above, they have never studied in Taiwan as overseas Chinese students and have not been placed for study by the Overseas Joint Admissions Committee in the current academic year.

3. Under educational cooperation agreements, foreign nationals recommended by foreign governments, institutions, or schools to study in Taiwan, and who have never had household registration in Taiwan, may, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, be exempt from the restrictions stipulated in the previous clause.
4. The period of six years as defined in the first clause and the eight-year period as specified in the second clause shall be calculated from the starting date of the intended academic semester (either February 1st or August 1st). If it is verified that a violation of this regulation has occurred, the admission may be revoked, or the student may be expelled.
5. In the first clause, "overseas" refers to countries or regions outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. "Continuous residence" in the second clause means that the foreign student's stay in the country does not exceed 120 days in each calendar year. If the period of continuous overseas residence spans multiple years  which are not complete calendar years, it will be deemed  continuous as long as the stay in the country does not exceed 120 days in each of those years. However, the following situations are exempt from this limit, if supported by relevant documentation, and the time spent in the country during these situations is not counted towards the calculation of overseas residence:

1. Attending overseas youth technical training programs organized by the competent authority for overseas Chinese affairs or technical training programs recognized by the Ministry of Education.
2. Enrolling in Chinese language centers at colleges or universities approved by the Ministry of Education to admit foreign students, with a total duration of less than two years.
3. Participating in exchange student programs for a total duration of less than two years.
4. Interning in Taiwan with the permission of the central competent authority for specific purposes for a total duration of less than two years.

6. Individuals who hold both foreign citizenship and Republic of China (ROC) citizenship, and who had applied to renounce their ROC citizenship before February 1, 2011 (the date of the amendment's implementation), may apply for admission according to the original regulations without being subject to the restrictions stipulated in the first clause.

Article 3 

1. Individuals who hold foreign citizenship, possess permanent residency in Hong Kong or Macau, and have never had household registration in Taiwan may apply for admission according to the following regulations:
2. If they have continuously resided in Hong Kong, Macau, or overseas for six years or more at the time of application, they may apply for admission.
3. Continuous residence in the above context means that they do not stay in Taiwan for more than 120 days in each calendar year. However, if they meet any of the conditions outlined in the fourth clause of the previous response and provide relevant supporting documents, this limit does not apply, and the time spent in Taiwan during these situations is not counted towards the continuous residence period.
4. Individuals who were previously citizens of mainland China and have never had household registration in Taiwan, but have continuously resided overseas for six years or more at the time of application, may also apply for admission.
5. Continuous residence in this context is calculated in the same manner, not exceeding 120 days in Taiwan each calendar year. Similar to the previous clause, if they meet any of the conditions outlined in the  fifth? clause of the previous response and provide relevant supporting documents, this limit does not apply, and the time spent in Taiwan during these situations is not counted towards the continuous residence period.
6. The six-year period in the first and third clauses is calculated from the starting date of the intended academic semester (either February 1st or August 1st).

Article 4

1. Foreign students applying to study in Taiwan under the previous two articles  are limited to one application. If they continue their further studies in Taiwan, the admission process should be the same as for domestic students. However, the following situations are exempt from this limit:

1. After completing the program at the school for which they applied, foreign students may apply directly for master's programs or higher according to the school's regulations.
2. Foreign students applying to study in bachelor's programs or lower-level programs in Taiwan, who stayed in the country for less than one year and withdrew from school or lost their student status for legitimate reasons, may reapply to study in Taiwan, but they are limited to one application.

2. Foreign students who were expelled from school or lost their student status due to serious misconduct, poor academic performance, violation of laws or school regulations, are not eligible to apply for admission again under the previous clause.

Article 5

1. The number of foreign students that our university can actually admit is based on an additional ten percent (10%) of the number of admissions approved by the Ministry of Education for the previous academic year. This number should be counted and included in the total admissions quota for the current academic year and reported to the Ministry of Education for approval. If the number of admitted foreign students exceeds the number of admissions approved for the previous academic year plus an additional ten percent (10%), an incremental plan (including quality control strategies and supporting measures) should also be submitted to the Ministry of Education for approval. However, this limit does not apply to specific degree programs or special projects that our university has established with foreign universities with the consent   of the Ministry of Education.
2. If, in the previous academic year, our university did not fill its approved total admissions quota for domestic students, it may use the remaining and available number to admit foreign students, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Education.
3. The admissions quota mentioned in the first clause does not include foreign students who do not hold formal student status.

Article 6

When admitting foreign students in each academic year, our university should establish open admissions regulations that are submitted to and approved by the Ministry of Education. Subsequently, the university should formulate admission guidelines for foreign students, detailing: the programs available for admission; the duration of study; the number of admissions; eligibility criteria; selection methods; and other relevant provisions. The content of these guidelines should include the admission process; eligibility review procedures; the language of instruction for each program; language proficiency standards required of students; financial proof criteria, and other related matters. Once the admissions regulations are approved by the Ministry of Education, our university should produce admission guidelines for foreign students. These guidelines should specify: the admission process; eligibility review procedures; the programs available for admission; the language of instruction for each program; language proficiency standards required of students; duration of study; number of admissions; eligibility criteria; financial proof criteria; tuition and fee standards; information on scholarships offered by the university, and other relevant matters.  In handling foreign student admissions, our university  must not delegate these responsibilities to external organizations, legal entities, groups, or individuals, except for the promotion and assistance in necessary procedures for students coming to Taiwan. The university should periodically verify whether these external entities charge unreasonable fees to foreign students, establish lending relationships, or engage in activities that violate relevant laws. If necessary, our university may verify this information with the foreign students who have applied. Whether independently or through external organizations, legal entities, groups, or individuals, our university must not provide information that contradicts the admissions regulations, admission guidelines, or related provisions governing matters related to the admission of foreign students. Foreign students applying for admission to bachelor's, master's, or doctoral programs at our university should submit the required documents (see below) to the International Academic Exchange Center within the specified period mentioned in the admission guidelines. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be processed.

1. Admission application form (with two passport-sized, bareheaded photos)
2. Academic transcripts:

• For academic records from mainland China, follow the recognition procedures as stipulated by the regulations for recognizing academic qualifications from mainland China.
• For academic records from Hong Kong or Macau, follow the recognition and inspection procedures as stipulated by the regulations for recognizing academic qualifications from Hong Kong and Macau.
• For academic records from other regions:

1. Academic records from overseas Taiwan schools and mainland China Taiwan business schools should be treated the same as academic records from equivalent schools in Taiwan.
2. For academic records from other foreign regions, follow the recognition procedures for foreign academic qualifications as specified by the university. However, if the school or branch in mainland China issues academic records, they should be notarized by the notary public office in mainland China and verified by the government agencies established or designated by the Executive Yuan or entrusted private organizations.

3. One letter of recommendation.
4. A study plan in Chinese or English.
5. Proof of financial capability to study in Taiwan.

• Prospective student should have at least 6 months of regular financial resources amounting to at least 5,000 US dollars or more.
• Publicly funded or scholarship recipients should provide documentation confirming their scholarship eligibility.

6. A photocopy of passport, one copy.
7. Other documents required by specific departments, as stated in their admission announcements.

The highest academic qualifications or equivalent academic capability documents mentioned in the second clause above, which are issued by foreign schools, except for overseas Taiwan schools, should be processed according to the relevant regulations for recognizing foreign academic qualifications as specified by the university.
While our university reviewing the admission applications of foreign students has doubts about the authenticity of foreign documents mentioned in the fifth clause, which have not been verified by our country's overseas missions, government agencies established or designated by the Executive Yuan, or entrusted private organizations, our university may request verification by the relevant overseas missions. If the documents have already been verified by the overseas missions, they may be requested to confirm the verification.
The admission letter issued should include the student's name, program name, degree level, language of instruction, academic year of admission, semester start date, tuition and fee standards, information about scholarships, and other relevant information that should be communicated to foreign students in both Chinese and English. This ensures that foreign students understand their rights and obligations while studying in Taiwan. The university may also provide versions of this information in the student's native language.
The International Academic Exchange Center should conduct an initial review of the application materials to determine if they are complete. Those who pass the initial review will be sent to the respective academic departments for a secondary review and decision. Afterward, the results will be submitted to the University Admissions Committee for approval, and admission letters will be issued.
If it is discovered that foreign students have submitted fraudulent, borrowed, or altered admission documents, their admission will be revoked. For those who have already enrolled, their student status will be revoked, and they will not be issued any related academic certificates. If such fraudulent activity is discovered after graduation, the university will revoke their graduation and invalidate their degree certificates.

Article 7

1. Foreign students who have already completed a bachelor's degree or higher in Taiwan and wish to apply for admission to a master's or higher program are not subject to the limitations stipulated in the clauses of the previous article. They may submit graduation certificates and transcripts from Taiwanese institutions according to the regulations outlined in the previous sections.
2. Foreign students who have graduated from foreign national schools in Taiwan or from bilingual programs (classes) affiliated to Taiwanese senior high schools or from the foreign language curriculum divisions of private senior high schools in Taiwan may also apply for admission without being subject to the limitations stated in the first clause of the fourth article. They should provide graduation certificates and transcripts from these schools when applying.

Article 8

1. If foreign students experience circumstances such as taking a leave of absence, withdrawing from school, changing their status, or losing their student status, the university's International College should promptly record this information in the Ministry of Education's designated Foreign Student Information Management System. The university should also report these changes to the Consular Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the service center of the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior, in the location of the school, and notify the Ministry of Education.
2. Foreign students who come to Taiwan to study the Chinese language at the university's Chinese Language Center should follow the application procedures, scholarship and subsidy regulations, management and counseling policies, and reporting requirements as outlined in this set of regulations. This includes reporting any situations where a student's absence from class exceeds one-fourth of the total class hours for the period or any changes or loss of student status.

Article 9

Foreign students are generally not allowed to apply for admission to the university's bachelor's degree extension program, in-service master's program, or other programs that are exclusively conducted at night or on weekends. However, this restriction does not apply to foreign students who already possess a legal residence status in Taiwan or to programs that have received special approval from the Ministry of Education.

Article 10

When registering, new foreign students should provide proof of medical and accident insurance coverage that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Taiwan. Currently enrolled students should provide proof of relevant insurance, such as Taiwan's National Health Insurance. If the insurance proof is issued by a foreign authority, it should be verified by a Taiwan overseas mission.

Article 11

The fees that foreign students are required to pay for their education in Taiwan are determined as follows:

1. Students who come to Taiwan with recommendations from overseas missions and receive the Taiwan Scholarship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as those who have permanent residence status in Taiwan, will follow the tuition and fee standards for Taiwanese students set by the university.
2. Students who enter Taiwan under educational cooperation agreements will follow the fee structure specified in those agreements.
3. For other foreign students not covered by the above categories, the university will establish its own fee structure, which should not be lower than the tuition and fees charged by equivalent private institutions.
4. Students who enrolled in Taiwan before February 1, 2011, will continue to pay fees according to the original regulations for their respective educational levels.

Article 12

Foreign students who register for admission and whose absences do not exceed one-third of the first semester of the academic year should enroll in the current semester. If they have exceeded one-third of the first semester of the academic year, they can enroll in the second semester or the following academic year. However, exceptions or additional regulations set forth by the Ministry of Education may affect this.

Article 13

Regarding scholarships for foreign students at our university, the specific application procedures and regulations will be determined by the university and should be followed accordingly.

Article 14

 Our university has two options to admit international students: "Individual Application" and "Specific Program Application (e.g., International Foundation Program)."

• Individual Application: In the Individual Application process, students are required to submit their application information online through our school's application system.
• Specific Program (e.g., International Foundation Program): In the Specific Program Application, our representatives visit recruitment countries/regions to provide information and conduct interviews with prospective students.

When applying for admission, international students are required to provide proof of language proficiency. For those enrolling in English-taught programs, an English language proficiency level of CEFR B1 is required,  and proof of English language proficiency must be submitted.
For those enrolling in Chinese-taught programs, a Chinese language proficiency level of CEFR A2 is required, and proof of Chinese language proficiency must be submitted.
If international students after enrollment are not able to follow the classes due to their  language insufficiency,  they may be required to apply for suspension of study, drop-out or  re-enrollment in accordance with the school's regulations and procedures.

Article 15

1. The International College of our university is responsible for handling matters related to foreign student enrollment applications, providing guidance and support, facilitating communication, and arranging accommodation with host families. The International College also renders assistance to foreign students in learning the Chinese language and culture to enhance their understanding of our country.
2. Each academic year, our university organizes various activities to provide guidance and promote campus internationalization for foreign students. These activities aim to foster interactions and exchanges between domestic and international students.

Article 16

Our university may establish specific programs for foreign students due to international academic cooperation projects or other specific needs. These programs should adhere to the standards in relation to the overall development scale and resource conditions of higher education institutions and that require approval from the Ministry of Education.
If teaching conditions and capacities allowed, the departments and colleges of our university may sign educational cooperation agreements with foreign institutions to receive exchange students. These students are subject to our university's foreign student admission regulations, and tuition fees may apply.
Exchange students are admitted for one academic year, and they are not eligible for residence visas based solely on their exchange student status.
The application, registration, course selection procedures, and other related regulations for exchange students follow the same rules applicable to regular students. If exchange students pass the required examinations for their courses, they can receive a credit certificate issued by our university.
Exchange students who wish to obtain regular student status upon the completion of their exchange period must apply for admission according to our university's regulations.
Upon obtaining regular student status at our university, exchange students may apply for credit transfer based on our university's credit transfer regulations.

Article 17

After graduating from our university's undergraduate program, foreign students who have obtained approval from our university and the Ministry of Education to participate in internships in Taiwan can extend their foreign student status for up to one year beyond their graduation date. Foreign students studying in Taiwan who register for household residency, change their household registration, become naturalized citizens, or regain Republic of China (ROC) nationality during their period of study, will lose their foreign student status and must withdraw from their studies. However, this rule does not apply to students who enter through the same admission process as domestic students or to those who apply for naturalization under the Nationality Act, Articles4(1)(1) to 4(1)(3), to obtain ROC nationality. Foreign students who are expelled from their enrolled institution due to misconduct, academic failure, or conviction in a criminal case, as confirmed by a court judgment, are not eligible to apply for admission under these regulations. Foreign students currently studying at other colleges or universities in Taiwan may apply for transfer based on the regulations stipulated in the "Asia University Academic Regulations." However, foreign students who have been expelled from another institution due to misconduct or conviction in a criminal case, as confirmed by a court judgment, are not eligible for transfer to our university.

Article 18

If foreign students are found to have violated the provisions of the Employment Service Act, our university shall take prompt action to process the matter in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Article 19

During their stay in Taiwan, foreign students are required to comply with the laws of the Republic of China (ROC) and adhere to the regulations of our university. For matters not covered in these regulations, they shall be handled in accordance with the Ministry of Education's Regulations Regarding International Students Studying in Taiwan and other applicable rules and regulations of our university.